Robin Bravender
E&E Publishing
June 24, 2010

Environmentalists are joining military and union groups in launching an $11 million advertising campaign aimed at prodding the Senate to pass sweeping energy and climate legislation this summer.

The League of Conservation Voters, Sierra Club, VoteVets.org Action Fund and Service Employees International Union announced today that they will launch the first round of television ads next week in a handful of states, targeting about four or five “key” senators. They plan to continue running ads throughout the summer as the Senate moves forward on an energy and climate bill.

Leaders of the organizations declined to say which senators they would zero in on, but they said the first round of ads will likely target senators who voted earlier this month to support a failed bid by Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) to block U.S. EPA climate regulations.”This diverse set of groups has come together because we are at a pivotal moment in which senators face a stark choice: They can side with the Big Oil companies or fight for a clean energy future,” said LCV President Gene Karpinski. “And with this effort, we will make sure that constituents in key states know which side of this historic debate their senators choose.”The groups said they also intend to praise senators who support a comprehensive climate bill that caps greenhouse gas emissions.

Senate Democrats are expected to meet this afternoon to map out a strategy for tackling energy and climate legislation this summer, and President Obama is expected to discuss the issue with senators during a meeting next week.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has said he hopes to take a package to the floor before the August recess. Special thanks to Richard Charter.